As I Love Lucy, the movie requires the actors to navigate both comedy and drama as the characters are often intentionally funny as they put the sitcom together while also being serious as they deal with all of the behind-the-scenes conflicts and obstacles.
Because of this, the film features some tremendous and multi-faceted performances from its all-star cast, including scene-stealing ing roles from Tony Hale as Jess Oppenheimer and J.K. Simmons as William Frawley, as well as electric leading performances from Nicole Kidman as Lucille Ball and Javier Bardem as Desi Arnaz.
Clark Gregg As Howard Wenke
Playing CBS executive Howard Wenke, Clark Gregg has a small but critical role in the film. The character is constantly checking in on the show, giving his input on situations such as how the show should handle Lucy's pregnancy and the Communism scandal.
Gregg has the difficult task of serving as Desi and Lucy's primary resistance without being villainous or unlikable. He embodies the old-fashioned studio system that did not understand I Love Lucy's attempts to break barriers, conveying the obstacles the show faced in just a few scenes.
Jake Lacy As Bob Carroll
Played by Jake Lacy, staff writer Bob Carroll is a put-upon member of the writing team who has a playfully competitive working relationship with Madelyn. The character helps illustrate the creative process of the show and the flexibility required to deal with all of the behind-the-scenes chaos.
Most recognizable for his role as Pete in unlikable Shane in The White Lotus, Lacy is a proven comedian and dependable straight man who is able to use his skills to believably portray someone who is doing the best he can while constantly being thrown under the bus by his coworkers and facing last-second curveballs that require creative solutions.
Alia Shawkat As Madelyn Pugh
Arrested Development alumni Alia Shawkat plays writer Madelyn Pugh. As the only female writer on the staff, she has a complicated relationship with Lucy and tries her best to protect Lucy's character on the show. Additionally, she is often shown having a playful back and forth with Bob, frequently stealing his jokes and ideas.
The dynamic between Madelyn and Lucy leads to some dramatic scenes for Shawkat, allowing her to show her range. The role requires her to confidently deliver snappy Sorkin dialogue while also possessing a more serious side that can empathize with the obstacles that Lucy faces as a woman in Hollywood and Shawkat is able to rise to the challenge, even if it is only in a smaller role.
Nina Arianda As Vivian Vance
Portraying I Love Lucy co-star Vivian Vance, actress Nina Arianda is tasked with capturing a hefty subplot in only a limited amount of screen time. Stuck in Lucy's shadow, the character feels insecure about the show's constant jokes about her appearance, prompting her to try to lose weight and redefine her appearance.
Despite only having a ing role, Arianda must convey a lot. It is a tall task and Arianda delivers a solid performance that ironically gets overshadowed by some of the flashier performances in the film.
Tony Hale As Jess Oppenheimer
While audiences will best recognize Tony Hale for his over-the-top comedic roles, he delivers a more grounded performance as executive producer Jess Oppenheimer. As he juggles the creative challenges of producing a comedy with the business side of keeping production on track, Hale is able to show his diverse acting ability.
In one of his more subtle performances, Hale is able to effectively convey his character's comedic abilities while also exerting his authority and presence on the show. He is the one holding everything together and Hale crafts a character that the audience can believe could handle the full array of his responsibilities.
J.K. Simmons As William Frawley
Veteran actor J.K. Simmons has given great performances in both comedies and dramas, making him ideally suited to take on the role of William Frawley. The character is gruff and harsh but has a genuinely good heart.
He captures the real-life actor's mannerisms and expressions well while still making the character his own. He is able to convey the character's rougher edges yet seamlessly transition into the softer moments where he acts as a mentor to Lucy. Simmons is perfectly cast in the role and uses his full repertoire of skills to give a great performance.
Nicole Kidman As Lucille Ball
Despite Nicole Kidman's history of excellent performances, her casting as Lucille Ball was met with some resistance from fans. While Kidman does not bear a strong physical resemblance to the Hollywood icon, she does give an engaging and well-rounded performance.
She is able to successfully recreate some of the actress' most famous moments, demonstrating an impressive knack for physical comedy. Additionally, she excels in the movie's dramatic moments, conveying an inner confidence and ambition, even as she steamrolls the people around her.
Javier Bardem As Desi Arnaz
Javier Bardem has delivered some great performances in the past, but he faced an uphill battle in taking on the role of Desi Arnaz as he does not sound or look much like the real-life figure at all. However, Bardem perfectly captures Desi's mannerisms and energy.
He is mesmerizing in the role, exuding the charm and charisma necessary to pull off the different aspects of the character's personality, seamlessly slipping between being lovable, ionate, difficult, and heartbreaking. Given all the good and bad that the character does, Bardem walks a tightrope with his portrayal and delivers an incredible performance.
